Mizzou Vs. Vandy

[Al Agnew]

Well, tonight we start to get an idea of how good Mizzou is this year. First SEC game, and against an opponent that is considered middle tier at least. I think the Vegas people have it about an even game. Vandy lost to two good teams and beat three cupcakes. Mizzou beat four teams, one of which was a REAL cupcake, the others maybe not cupcakes but teams they should have beaten. Statistically the two teams aren't too far apart. Mizzou has a lot more weapons on offense, Vandy has the edge in defense, probably.

Since I'm still out in Montana, I can't get the game on any free channels, so I bit the bullet and got ESPN Gameplan for the weekend so I could see it.

My prediction...Mizzou 41, Vandy 31. E.J. Gaines slows down Vandy's one great receiver just enough to make up for the rest of the secondary giving their other receivers too much, and Mizzou holds their own against the run. Vandy can't stop both Mizzou's running game and passing game, so they have to concentrate on one or the other.

[Justin Spencer]

Good start!

[Al Agnew]

Very nice win...I guess either Vandy was worse than most people thought, or Mizzou is better. They were by far the better team tonight. Franklin was nearly flawless, and made some real quality passes. The receivers caught every ball they could reach. Josey had a great game. The offensive play calling was very good, quite a contrast from Yost's jet sweeps, bubble screens, and quarterback draws last year. The defense had a few second half hiccups, but the defensive line dominated. And keep in mind, this was Vandy's homecoming game. All in all, Mizzou probably opened some eyes tonight.

[ozark trout fisher]

Mizzou goes into Athens next week looking like a top contender in the SEC east. Win that one and we may be looking into ticket prices in Atlanta for the SEC championship game. Still unlikely for them to get there, but this team has Mizzou fans dreaming big again.

This win should all but lock up bowl eligibility with Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ole Miss all looking like games we can expect to win from here on out. The real question I think is do we get to 9-10 wins or is it more like 7-8.

Yes, now watch them find a way to lose 7 straight............

[stlfisher]

AL...I had to buy ESPN gameplan and I am in St.louis ar e a....don't even get me started on charter cable and jerk move they pulled this week.

MU looked good and Georgia looks beatable. Florida looks better with driskal out.

[Quillback]

Congrats to Mizzou, it would be fun to watch an underdog emerge in the SEC and win the SEC championship (I realize that is extremely unrealistic), but still possible (remotely) at this point.

[Ham]

Good win for Mizzou. Vandy is a sure W anymore. Apparently, neither is Tennessee.

[ozark trout fisher]

Missouri vs Georgia looks to be our biggest game for a second year in a row. And the first that will nationally be considered a "marquee" (and most likely, ranked) matchup since September 8, 2012.

Except this time it's with the hope of taking the east division and running with it. Let's hope this one goes a little better.

[Quillback]

That GA back, Todd Gurley did not play yesterday (sprained ankle). That guy is a premier back, big and fast. If he's back 100% next week, Mizzou better be ready to play some tough run defense.

[ozark trout fisher]

Mizzou is ranked. #25 in AP poll, though they are the first team out in the Coaches Poll. There will be a number next to Mizzou's name against the Bulldogs, which hasn't been the case since ASU in 2011. THAT feels good even if it doesn't last.

You are right Quillback, if Gurley is in he will provide the kind of test we haven't seen so far. I hope he is too; if Missouri wins this one, I don't want everyone talking about how we only beat UGA cause they were too banged up to be competitive. And obviously Murray is the best QB we've played by a mile. But it's a good feeling to go into a big game like this thinking we've got a solid chance to come out with a win, even if I think our chances are well below 50%. Missouri will give up points to Georgia. But I do think our offense can put up enough points to hang with them for quite awhile.

At this point I do think we lose next week, before splitting with Florida and South Carolina at home. Then win three straight against UT, UK, and Ole Miss before losing to A&M. That would put us at 9-3 if it worked out that way, which would be sweet. I'd still take 8-4 and be really happy, I think.